Core box assembly



Sept- 13, 1966 .1. MEHALOV CORE BOX ASSEMBLY Filed Jan. 26, 1966 INVENTOR.

JOHN MEHALOV United States Patent O" 3,272,329 CORE BOX ASSEMBLY John Mehalov, `745 Greenway Drive, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15204 Filed Jan. 26, 1966, Ser. No. 523,127 9 Claims. (Cl. 2116-65) This invention relates to improvements in storage boxes, and more particularly to improvements in storage boxes of the type having a plurality of polygonal chambers adapted to receive and store elongated articles, such as core samples.

Although not limited thereto, the present invention is particularly adapted for storing and shipping core samples. As is known, core `samples result from test borings or drillings for ores, minerals and the like. The core samples comprise a relatively continuous cylinder composed of transverse strata of the earth which are saved for subsequent analysis, that is, for a determination of their composition and, hence, the amount, if any, of the desired ore, mineral or the like. IEach core sample extracted from the earth must be stored in the sequence in which it was withdrawn. This is necessary so that the extract depth of each sample tested relative to the test hole will lbe known.

Conventional multisided wooden boxes have been used for storing the core samples. The core samples are placed in the box in proper sequence along with wooden dividers marked with the footage depth from which the core samples were cut. These wooden boxes are expensive to manufacture and yet they lack the desired durability. Furthermore, they are bulky. Inasmuch as they cannot be conveniently dismantled, they take up the same volume of space when they are empty as when they are lled with core samples. Consequently, the cost of transporting the wooden core boxes back to the test site for reuse is expensive.

More recently, there has been devised a core box formed from a plurality of identical dividers which are placed one on top of the other and bolted together. Each divider comprises a corrugated separator having a peripheral wall surrounding the same and formed integrally therewith. The corrugated separator presents la series of ridges `and valleys which cooperate with the divider directly above and/or below -to provide closed chambers in which the core samples are stored. For example, core samples are placed in the valleys of a iirst divider whereupon a second `divider is placed over the rst. The dividers are then bolted together. Further, core samples are placed in the valleys of the second divider land a third divider is placed on the second divider. The third divider is then bolted to the second divider. It should be evident that bolting the dividers together is a time-consuming operation which could most profitably be done away with. The height of the peripheral wall is substantially equal to the depth of the valleys and ridges. Consequently, each divider has a predetermined thickness and therefore takes up a volume of space which is the same when empty as when lled with samples. The dividers cannot be nested together to reduce their volume and therefore transporting them back to the original test site or to a new test site for reuse is costly.

Accordingly, as an overall object, the present invention seeks to provide an improved storage box for storing elongated articles, such as core samples.

A further object of the invention is to provide a core box wherein a maximum amount of the box volume is utilized for storing core samples.

Another object of the invention is to provide substantially identical corrugated sheet metal members which may be nested into a compact package of minimum Patented Sept. 13, 1966 ice Volume for shipment to a test :site and there readily assembled into a rugged, reusable core box.

Still another object of the invention is to provide means for rapidly and effectively securing the corrugated sheet metal members together to form `a rugged core box.

A further object of .the invention is t-o provide an improved core box wherein access to all of the core :samples may be gained simultaneously.

In accordince with the present invention, a storage or core box is provided comprising substantially identical cellular metal members each providing a plurality of spaced-connected polygonal chambers extending longitudinally of the cellular metal members and which are open at both ends. The cellular metal members are superposed to lprovide additional spaced, formed polygonal chambers between adjacent superposed ones of the cellular metal members and which extend longitudinally thereof. All of the polygonal chambers have substantially identical cross sections and configurations and are adapted to receive and store elongated articles, such as core samples. A cap member is fitted over each end of the superposed cellular metal members to close the open ends of both the connected and formed polygon-al chambers. The cap members are connected to the cellular metal members by securing elements which extend longitudinally around the superposed cellular metal members and the cap members. These securing elements along with additional securing elements which extend transversely around the cellular metal members, rigidly connect the superposed cellular metal members into a rigid, sealed storage box.

As will be described, each of the cellular metal members is formed from a pair of substantially identical corrugated sheets including means for readily connecting the same. The overall arrangement is such that a number of the corrugated sheets, that is, a number sufficient, for example, to form several storage boxes, may be nestedtogether and secured together with the required number of cap members, into a compact package for shipment to the test site. Inasmuch as the corrugated sheets are substantially identical, they may be selected at random and assembled into a rigid storage box.

The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an isometric View of a storage box of the present invention;

FIG. 2 `is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary isometric view illustrating a plurality of the corrugated sheets of the present invention disposed in a nested relationship;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary isometric view of a pair of the corrugated sheets used in forming a cellular sheet metal member;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, similar to FIG. 4 and on an enlarged scale, illustrating alternative means 'for connecting the cellular metal members;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary isometric View of a cap member of FIG. 8;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional View, similar to FIG. 5, illustrating alternative means for securing a cap member to the cellular metal members; and

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view, similar to FIG. 8, illustrating a further alternative means for securing the cap members to the cellular metal members.

General descriptiony Reference is now directed to FIGS. 1 and 2 wherein there is illustrated a storage box 20` constructed in arcordance with the principles of the present invention. In general, the storage box 20 comprises a pair of substantially identical cellular metal members 22 each providing a plurality of uniformly spaced, connected polygonal chambers 24 which are open at both ends and adapted to receive and store elongated articles, such as core sarnples 26. The cellular metal members 22 are superposed and thereby provide additional uniformly spaced, formed polygonal chambers 28 which also are open at both ends Vand which are adapted to receive and store additional ones of the core samples 26. If desired, additional ones of the cellular metal members 22 may be superposed on top or beneath the members 22 so as to provide additional ones of the connected polygonal chambers 24 and additional ones of the formed polygonal chambers 28. The cellular metal members 22 are secured together in their superposed relation by banding means preferably in the form of metal straps 30.

As is shown in FIG. 1, the Storage box 20 additionally includes cap members which fit over the ends of the cellular metal chambers 22 for closing the ends of both the connected and formed polygonal chambers 24, 28. The storage box 20 is preferably provided with corrugated cap members 32 only one of which is illustrated, whose periphery is shaped to correspond to the shape of the cellular metal members 22. The cap members 32 are secured to the cellular metal members 22 by additional metal straps 34 shown in dash-dot outline or by metal straps 36 shown in full lines. Alternatively, the storage box 20 may be provided with generally rectangular cap members 38, only one of which is shown. The cap members 38 are secured to the cellular metal members by means of the metal straps 36.

Cellular metal members 22 Each of the cellular metal members 22 is formed from a pair of substantially identical corrugated sheets 40. As can be seen in FIG. 3, four of the corrugated sheets 40, which will subsequently be used -to form the cellular metal members 22 of FIG. 1, are shown nested together as they would be during shipment to a test site. The corrugated sheets 40 are formed from metals, such as, galvanized steel sheet material of suitable gage.

Each of the corrugated sheets 40 have at, coplanar intermediate portions 42 vertically spaced from flat coplanar portions 44 and connected thereto by inclined walls 46. Each corrugated sheet 40 terminates in lateral anges 48, 50 which are coplanar with the intermediate por-tions 42. The lateral flange 50 terminates in and cooperates with a reversely-bent flange 52 to form a longitudinal recess 54 adapted to receive the lateral flange 48 of a superposed one of the corrugated sheets 46.

Referring n-ow to FIG. 4, there is shown -two corrugated sheets 40A and 40B which are positioned opposite one another preparatory to forming one of the cellular metal members 22. It is readily apparent in FIG. 4, that the portions 44 and the intermediate portions 42 of the sheet 40A comprise crests and valleys, respectively. In the sheet 40B, however, the intermediate portions 42 comprise crests while the portions 44 comprise valleys. Consequently, whether the portions 44, 42 comprise a crest or a valley depends on the orientation of the sheet 40. The intermediate portions 42 as well as the lateral flanges 48, 50 will always be in surface contact when two of the sheets 40 are connected to form one of the cellular metal members 22. Furthermore, the portions 44 will al- Ways be spaced apart.

As stated above, hte sheets 40A and 40B of FIG. 4 are positioned preparatory to forming one of the ce-llular metal members 22. In this respect, the corrugated sheet 40A may be lowered into engagement with the sheet 40B and thereafter moved to the left of FIG. 4 until -the lateral flanges 48 are received within the longitudinal recesses 54. At this time, the sheets 40A and 40B are detachably connected and comprise one of the cellular metal members 22.

in the abovedescribed side portions 48.

Polygonal chambers Referring again to FIG. 2, it will be readily seen that the polygonal chambers 28 are termed formed charnbers, because they are actually created or formed when two of the cellular metal members 22 are superposed in the manner illustrated in FIG. 2, for example. Each of the formed polygonal chambers 28 is defined in part by the inclined walls 46 of superposed ones of the connected polygonal chambers 24 and in part by the intermediate portions 42 of the superposed cellular =metal members 22.

The connected and formed polygonal chambers 24, 28 have substantially identical cross sections and congurations. Actually, it is preferred that the portions 42, 44 and walls 46 of the corrugated sheets 40 have substantially identical dimensions so that the chambers 24, 28 comprise regular polygons, that is, a regular hexagon,

As is known, there are three basic core sizes: an AX core having a 1% inch diameter, a BX core having a 15/8 inch diameter, and an NX core having a 2% inch diameter. Consequently, the corrugated sheet-s 40 may be dimensioned such that the connected and formed polygonal chambers 24, 28 will accept anyone of the three basic core sizes. That is to say, the cellular metal members 22 of FIG. 2, for example, may be dimensioned to accept -the AX core, the BX core, or the NX core.

A storage box 20 which will store eight of the NX cores (2% inch diameter), has a width of 111/2 inches, a

height of 4% inches, and a length of 30 inches. The overall volume of this box is 0.83 cubic feet. The core box will store a total of 20 feet of core samples. On a Bending strap 30 Referring now to FIGS. l and 5, it will be seen that the metal straps 30 which connect the cellular metal members 22, preferably extend through slots 56 provided In this larrangement, the pair of cellular metal members 22 are interlocked and prevented from sliding longitudinally of each other. Alternatively, the metal straps 30 may extend around the side portions 48 as shown by the strap -30 illustrated in dash-dot outline in FIG. 5. As is conventional, the metal straps 30` are placed under tension by conventional banding apparatus and the ends thereof secured by connectors 58.

Cap members i As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the cap members 32 com- ,into the connected and formed polygonal chambers 24,

28. The depressions 64 stilen the cap member 32 against deformations.

The peripheral flange 62 and hence the peripheral edge of the central plate 60v are shaped to correspond to the peripheral configuration of the cellular metal members 22, that is, Ithe crests, intermediate valleys and connecting walls of the upper and lower corrugated sheets 40. Furthermore, the peripheral ange 62 fits over the side portions 48 and hence protect the persons handling the storage box from the relatively sharp edges of the side portions 48.

The metal straps 34 (wash-dot outline) may be used to secure the cap members 3-2 over the ends of the cellular metal members 22. The metal straps 34 preferably extend longitudinally through the valleys of the cellular metal members 22, 4as shown in FIG. 1. The depressions v 64 :also permit the use of conventional banding apparatus Referring now to FIGS. 1, 7 and 8, the cap members 32 and 38 may have a number of peripheral strips 66 of the peripheral ange 62, deformed outwardly to. provide spaced slots 68 through which is passed the metal strap 36, as shown in FIG. 8. The metal strap 36 may be passed about the crests (portions 44) of the uppermost and lowermost corrugated sheets 40. In this arrangement, there is no fear that the straps 36 will be accidentally dislodged during shipment. The cap member 38 (FIG. 8) may also be provided with a number of the outwardly deformed strips 66.

An alternative arrangement for securing the cap members 32, 38 to the cellular metal members 22 is illustrated in FIG. 9. In this arrangement, the flat portions 44 of the corrugated sheets 40' are provided with vertically aligned slots 70. The peripheral tiange 62 of the cap member 32 (38) is provided with slots 72 which correspond to the slots 70. A length of metal strap 74 is passed through the aligned slots 70, 72 and the ends thereof are secured by a connector 58 in the conventional manner.

Although the invention has been shown in connection with certain specific embodiments, `it will be readily apparent to those skilled Iin the art that various changes in form and arrangement of parts may be made to suit requirements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. A storage box comprising substantially identical cellular -rnetal members each providing a plurality of uniformly spaced, connected polygonal chambers extending longitudinally thereof and open at both ends; said cellular metal members being superposed and providing additional uniformly spaced, formed polygonal chambers disposed between adjacent superposed ones of said ceilular metal members and extending longitudinally thereof; said formed polygonal chambers being defined in part by peripheral walls of adjacent ones of said connected polygonal chambers and in part by portions of said cellular metal members intermediate of the adjacent ones of said connected polygonal chambers; all of said polygonal chambers havin-g `substantially identical cross sections and coniigurations and being adapted to receive and store elongated articles; cap lmembers titted over the ends of said superposed cellular metal members and closing the open ends of said connected and formed polygonal chambers; means for connecting said superposed cellular metal members as a unit; and means for securing said cap members to the ends of said superposed cellular metal members.

2. The storage box as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said eelluilar metal members comprises a pair of substantially identical corrugated sheets each having longitudinally extending coplanar crests and coplanar valleys connected to said crests by inclined walls, said corrugated sheets terminating along their longitudinal sides in lateral flanges; said pair of corrugated sheets being superposed such that the valleys of one sheet are in surface contact with the crests of the other sheet and such that the lateral flanges of both sheets are in mutual surface contact; and means for detachably connecting the lateral anges on each side of said superposed corrugated sheets.

3. The storage box as defined in claim 2 wherein said means -for detachably connecting said lateral tlanges comprises one of said lateral flanges being reversely-bent t0 form a longitudinal recess and the other of said lateral ianges fitting into said longitudinal recess, Ithe superposed corrugated sheets being detachably connected by sliding one sheet relative to Ithe other sheet.

4. The storage box as defined in claim 1 wherein said cap members are each provided with depressions which project into said polygonal chambers.

5. The storage box as deiined in claim 1 wherein portions of ythe periphery of each of said cap members is formed with `crests and valleys connected by inclined walls which correspond to and tit over the crests, intermediate valleys and lthe connecting walls thereof of the superposed cellular metal members; and said means for securing said cap members to said superposed cellular metal members comprising straps extending longitudinally around the superposed cellular metal members and said cap members in the region of certain of the intermediate valleys.

6. The storage box as dened in claim 1 wherein said connecting means comprises straps extending transversely around the periphery of the superposed cellular metal members; and said securing means comprises straps extending longitudinally around the superposed cellular metal members and said cap members.

7. The storage box as defined -in claim 2 wherein said connecting means comprises straps extending transversely around the periphery of the superposed cellular metal members, said straps extending through aligned slots provided in said lateral iianges whereby said superposed cellular metal members are interlocked.

8. l'The storage box as dened in claim 6 wherein said cap members each have a plurality of peripheral strips deformed outwardly thereof to provide spaced slots, said straps of said securing means passing through said spaced slots.

9. 'I'he storage box as defined in claim 1 wherein said cap members have peripheral wall portions thereof en- 'gaged over opposite crests of the superposed cellular metal members, certain of said peripheral wall portions and the crests therebetween having openings formed therein, said securing means comprising straps passing through said open-ings and around said cap members.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,094,009 9/ 1937 Goebert 206-65 2,514,664 7/'1950 Bates 220'-77 2,718,303 9/1955 Polglase 206-65 2,886,172 5/ 1959 Hodges et a1. 206-47 3,196,229 7/ 1965 Glass 20G-65 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,323,774 3/ 1963` France.

THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner.

W. T. DIXSON, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A STORAGE BOX COMPRISING SUBSTANTIALLY IDENTICAL CELLULAR METAL MEMBERS EACH PROVIDING A PLURALITY OF UNIFORMLY SPACED, CONNECTED POLYGONAL CHAMBERS EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY THEREOF AND OPEN AT BOTH ENDS; SAID CELLULAR METAL MEMBERS BEING SUPERPOSED AND PROVIDING ADDITIONAL UNIFORMLY SPACED, FORMED POLYGONAL CHAMBERS DISPOSED BETWEEN ADJACENT SUPERPOSED ONES OF SAID CELLULAR METAL MEMBERS AND EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY THEREOF; SAID FORMED POLYGONAL CHAMBERS BEING DEFINED IN PART BY PERIPHERAL WALLS OF ADJACENT ONES OF SAID CONNECTED POLYGONAL CHAMBERS AND IN PART BY PORTIONS OF SAID CELLULAR METAL MEMBERS INTERMEDIATE OF THE ADJACENT ONES OF SAID CONNECTED POLYGONAL CHAMBERS; ALL OF SAID POLYGONAL CHAMBERS HAVING SUBSTANTIALLY IDENTICAL CROSS SECTIONS AND CONFIGURATIONS AND BEING ADAPTED TO RECEIVE AND STORE ELONGATED ARTICLES; CAP MEMBERS FITTED OVER THE ENDS OF SAID SUPERPOSED CELLULAR METAL MEMBERS AND CLOSING THE OPEN ENDS OF SAID CONNECTED AND FORMED POLYGONAL CHAMBERS; MEANS FOR CONNECTING SAID SUPERPOSED CELLULAR METAL MEMBERS AS A UNIT; AND MEANS FOR SECURING SAID CAP MEMBERS TO THE ENDS OF SAID SUPERPOSED CELLULAR METAL MEMBERS. 